Shark Attack Victim Honored by Wildlife Officers

The teenage boy that was bitten by a great white shark two weeks ago made his first public appearance Saturday at the Wags and Waves event to support the California Wildlife Officers Foundation.

Keane Webre-Hayes was at the event with his parents and little sister where he received a lifetime fishing license and lifetime fishing privileges. Webre-Hayes was bitten by the shark on Sept. 30 while lobster diving off the coast of Encinitas.

“For them to give me one for life means I go catch as many lobsters as I want,” he said.

After Webre-Hayes was attacked, he was airlifted to Rady Children’s Hospital where he stayed for nearly a week.

Webre-Hayes said he grew up in Vermont but he loved the beach and can’t wait to get back in the water when he can to go fishing.

The event was to raise awareness for wildlife officers and stressed the need to train and obtain for more dogs. Most officers work alone and the dogs provide much-needed protection. Each dog costs more than $10,000.

Webre-Hayes was seen playing with the dogs before the event. He and his parents are great supporters of the organization.